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Hypostasis is a phenomenon that refers to the settling of blood in the lower parts of the body, particularly after death or in cases of prolonged inactivity. This settling occurs due to gravity, causing blood to pool in the dependent areas of the body, leading to a discoloration of the skin in those regions.

The correct choice highlights that intravascular blood discoloration is a direct result of this pooling effect. When blood settles and becomes stagnant in the vessels, it can lead to a reddish-purple discoloration of the skin over areas where blood has accumulated. This change is often observed in post-mortem examinations.

The other options describe processes that are not characteristic of hypostasis. Fluid accumulation in tissues pertains more to localized edema and would not necessarily be attributed to blood settling. Consolidation of blood volume suggests changes in blood distribution or shifts, which do not align with the definition of hypostasis. Inflammation of lymph nodes is unrelated to the settling of blood; instead, it usually involves immune responses to infections or other stimuli.